Allergic Condition FAQ

Millions of people around the world are affected by allergies. Susceptibility to allergies may be inherited. If you have such a tendency and and come in contact with an allergen you may become sensitized. Examples of common allergens include pollen, mold spores, dust mites, pet danders, insect venom, certain foods, medicines, and even latex.

National Jewish is a world leader in allergy research and treatment. Learn how our doctors, Henry Milgrom, MD , and Lanny J. Rosenwasser, MD, answer frequently asked questions concerning the following allergic conditions:

Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)
Hay Fever (Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis)
Hives (Urticaria)
Food Allergies
Pet Dander
Insect Venom

Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)

Question: I have a six month old baby with eczema and he sneezes all the time. His eyes are not red or watery, but at night he has trouble breathing due to the congestion. His nose is not runny, though. Do you have treatment suggestions? Is he too young for seasonal allergies? We are getting ready to try Triaminic, based on our pediatrician's suggestion.

Dr. Rosenwasser's Answer: You are correct - your baby is too young for seasonal allergies. However, food allergy may play a role, especially with eczema and the sneeziness. Pediatric Triaminic used as a decongestant is OK.

Return to Top

Hives (Urticaria)

Question: I have hives. Since the allergy season this year is so bad , should I expect my condition to worsen as well?

Dr. Rosenwasser's Answer: The cause of hives is usually unknown and only rarely is related to pollen allergies. However, allergy can be a trigger for hives, especially in season and in conjunction with food reactions.

Question: I broke out in hives around my knees within 24 hours after doing strenuous exercise on a stair stepper. I thought this was bizarre but read that people sometimes have allergic reactions to stress on joints. Do you think that this was the case?

Dr. Milgrom's Answer: I am not sure that the location of the hives tells us much about the origin of the problem. However, hives following exercise (or exercise induced urticaria) is a well-known condition. In some patients, it is associated with eating specific foods; celery, shrimp, wheat and dairy products have all been implicated but there may be others. If this happens more than once it is best to wait to exercise at least 6 hours after eating, and it is best to exercise with a friend.

Question: I suffer from angioedema and have recently had a new outburst. My allergist is doing an old treatment of Doxipin hcl and Winstrol. This has helped some, but not completely. It is five years since I’ve been steroid-free, and I have no desire to go back on them. A recent biopsy of one of the lesions indicated angioedema with a possible allergic component. What is the newest hive treatment? I'm currently doing both h1 and h2 receptor drugs, the Doxipin and Rynatan. I took Claritin for a while but still no results.

Dr. Rosenwasser's Answer: Treatment of hives is still difficult. H-1, H-2, blockade with antihistaminessuch as Allegra and Zyrtec and Zantac can help. In some patients with persistent hives we will add leukotriene modifiers such as Singulair or Accolate to the other drugs.

Return to Top

Food Allergies

Question: My 12 year old son is allergic to peanuts. Depending on the wind and amount of peanuts being eaten at a baseball game he can suffer from nasal congestion/running and nasal itching. Could a nasal spray assist or aid in prevention of the allergy?

Dr. Rosenwasser's Answer: Peanuts as a cause of your son's allergy at a ballgame is possible but unlikely. Other causes of his symptoms may be dust, grass or smoke sensitivities. If he is that sensitive to peanuts he should be tested. Pre-treatment with Allegramay help.

Question: Can you comment on the research by the company Tanox and their work on peanut allergies?

Dr. Rosenwasser's Answer: Tanox makes an antibody similar to Xolair, and they have been doing studies using that antibody as an adjunct to peanut immunotherapy.

Question: I have always had normal nasal allergy symptoms but this year I have also developed asthma and food allergies. In the last three weeks as trees have been starting to bud I have developed severe skin "itchiness". I am very sensitive to various fabrics - cotton seems to be the only thing I can tolerate. My questions: Is this a typical allergic response? What can I do to stop the itching?

Dr. Rosenwasser's Answer: Many people with nasal allergy (allergic rhinitis) and springtime allergies develop significant symptoms such as itchy skin, as you are experiencing. Another phenomenon, known as oral allergy syndrome, occurs when cross-reactions between pollen allergens and food allergens cause itchiness and swelling in the mouth and throat after eating the food allergen. Antihistamines are a good treatment for this.

Question: Are there links between food intolerances (e.g. lactose or wheat) and skin reactions such as psoriasis?

Dr. Milgrom's Answer: There are no links known at the present.

Question: Are those who suffer from MSG allergies more apt to have problems with seasonal allergies?

Dr. Rosenwasser's Answer: There is no relationship between seasonal allergy and MSG intolerance.

Return to Top

Pet Dander

Question: I have asthma and I'm allergic to my cats but I don't want to give them away. Are there any new treatments for cat allergy?

Dr. Milgrom's Answer: Conventional asthma medications are effective.  Allergy shots (immunotherapy) for cats generally work. Treatment with anti-IgE is likely to be effective. Work is in progress on oral and inhaled immunotherapy. Some doctors believe that weekly bathing of the cat reduces exposure to allergens enough to decrease symptoms. There are also cleaning products available from allergy supply houses that help to break down cat allergen that may be trapped in carpeting or furniture.

Question: I have a cat that is 8 years old. I know I'm allergic to it because when I touch my cat and accidentally rub my eyes, they itch and get very red. I have heard that if you give your cat a bath every week for several weeks, the dander disappears . Is this true?

Dr. Rosenwasser's Answer: Washing a cat can lower cat allergen, but this may not be an effective way to control cat allergen in an indoor environment. The cat dander will never completely disappear and will return to ‘normal strength’ if you stop bathing the cat.

Return to Top

Insect Venom

Question: What is the best precaution to take knowing that I have severe reactions to insect bites (like swelling, blisters )? Are there certain over-the-counter medications that I should always carry?

Dr. Milgrom's Answer: Patients who have had systemic reactions to stings by vespids (honey bee, wasp, hornet, yellow jacket) or ants are at risk for allergic reactions that may be life threatening. Systemic reactions are those that cause low blood pressure, shortness of breath, gastrointestinal symptoms or swelling or rash distant from the site of the sting. Individuals who have experienced such reactions should carry injectable adrenaline that comes in pre-loaded syringes under the names Ana-Kit or Epi-Pen. These preparations are available by prescription only but can be life-saving and should be carried by all patients with a history of systemic responses to these insects. It is especially important to carry one of these preparations if the individual is going to be participating in activities in remote areas. Antihistamines can be helpful but are not adequate for a life-threatening situation. Some hikers have found that applying Adolph's Meat Tenderizer, a preparation that contains the enzyme papain, can make their stings less painful.

Return to Top